Chapter Text
"Meguru.. Im sorry."
'''''''
April 1st, 2007
It was loud and chaotic, Isagi's fifth birthday and he got to spend it with the one he loves most. Bachira had always been close to Isagi, their parents being good friends and even neighbors.
Isagi and Bachira had gone outside to play while their parents set up the 'party'. Isagi's mother had told him to invite all his friends, but Isagi insisted that Bachira was all he needed.
Bachira didn't get along well with the other kids. A lot of them bullied him because he was so "Different". Isagi never saw what they did, Bachira was amazing.
The question of 100 pennies or one dollar, he'd pick his Meguru.
"Meguru, you're so fast!" Isagi had slumped over, standing in front of the goal.
"Cmonn! you're going easy on me," The brown and yellow haired boy giggled as he dribbled. They have been playing for hours already. Until the two boys got called inside, for cake and presents obviously.
"Race you there!" Bachira had ran ahead leaving Isagi in the dust.
"Not fair.."
Inside was fully decked out with soccer themed balloons, napkins, cake, and upon seeing everything Isagi's blue big eyes had somehow grown bigger in admiration in all the decorations. Isagi ran to the kitchen as fast as his little legs could take him. He stared at the cake basically drooling. Everyone stood around him as his mother lit the candles. Then they began singing the all time embarrassing 'Happy Birthday' song.
Except this time his eyes found Bachira's yellow orbs, oh right Meguru...
Isagi's eyes jump open as if he's seen a ghost. It's still dark. He glances at his phone, 4:26 AM. He sits up rubbing his eyes along with sweat he didn't know that was there.
It's been months since they really talked, a while since he's gotten dreams like this with him.
He slowly dragged himself out of bed, no way he's falling asleep not after that. He makes his way to the bathroom as quietly as possible not to wake the rest of his family. He stares at his reflection in the mirror, when did he become so unfamiliar? He splashes cold water on his face slowly trying to calm his nerves.
ding ding
Isagi's phone buzzes against the counter, he knew who It was. Who else would be up this early.
Itoshi Rin
Open field in front of yours at 7?
Isagi had met Rin freshman year, he was playing on the school soccer team too. Rin was so good Isagi was instantly drawn to him.
Meguru would've liked him, he always wondered why Bachira hadn't tried out for the team. Now that he thinks about it, he hadn't seen Meguru most of freshman year. Maybe that's why they stopped talking.
Isagi wiped his face the warm towel soothing his cold face. He picked his phone up texting Rin back.
I'll see you there.
The blue haired boy then had decided to take a cold shower, to fully wake himself up. By the time he got out it was already 5:30, he could hear his mother in the kitchen probably making breakfast.
"You're up early," She states facing away towards the kitchen counters.
"Couldn't go back to sleep, whatcha making?" He yawns making his way to the kitchen island sitting on one of the stools.
"Kintsuba, your favorite."
"Think you can make extra? I'm going across the street to play with Rin later," Isagi comments as he scrolls through his phone.
His mother raises a brow, "Rin huh? you two have been hanging out a lot."
"Yeah?" Isagi looks up from his phone, his voice holding that confused tone.
"Why don't you invite Meguru?"
"Really? I doubt he'd want to join.." Isagi rubs the back of his neck awkwardly, "Plus we haven't talked in a while it'd just be awkward."
His mother takes a deep sigh, shaking her head slowly, as she sets the food down on the table in front of Isagi. "You two used to be inseparable, all you used to do was ask to go play with him." she comments sitting across from him, "We used to think something else was going on.." She raises her brows again giving him a look.
"What?!" Isagi's head shot up, looking at her like she just said the worst thing in the whole world, "What is that supposed to mean? We were just good friends!"
Isagi's mother shrugs standing up again to wash the dishes she had used for the food, "Dinner tonight is going to be at the bachiras, maybe you two can catch up?"
Isagi just nods mindlessly as he takes a bite of the food. He looks down at his phone, maybe he could just text Meguru about it? that's better than nothing right? Isagi sighs standing up, walking over to the cabinets taking out a medium sized container to put the extra food into. Then he heads upstairs to change. Isagi stands in his bedroom picking out some clothes to wear, he decided on black nike tech sweatpants and a black shirt, nothing crazy.
Now its 6:40, he's just sitting on his bed staring off into nothing. There had been a lot on Isagi's mind, a lot he didn't want to believe. He wipes a hand across his face, messing up his hair slightly but Isagi didn't care.
He finally stands up, he just needs to go to the field. Cool whatever he is feeling. He heads out of his room going down the stairs expecting to see his mom, maybe she's still doing whatever work she had to do.
Isagi's eyes had widened slightly seeing that familiar brown and yellow hair. He still remembered the first time he dyed it, he had asked Isagi to help him..
,,,,
"Is the back good?" Bachira's squeaky nine year old voice asks trying to peek at Isagi.
"uhm it's yellow?" Isagi comments his gloved hands smoothing through Bachira's short hair
It was the last day of fourth grade summer, Bachira had practically begged Isagi to help him dye his hair. The bathroom was badly stained resulting in being grounded for a while.. But it was worth it, seeing Bachira so happy. That had become their monthly routine, mostly. That has to be when he saw Bachira happiest, he wondered when and why Bachira had stopped asking him for help..
,,,,,
"Yoichi?" His voice snaps him back to reality
"Oh hey, Meguru." Isagi recovers shaking his head slowly, "I didn't expect you to be here..?"
"Moms lookin for her 'special' paint?" Bachira keeps his eyes in the fridge.
"I remember seeing it in the living room, maybe from one of their mom nights or whatever." Isagi glances at Bachira casually while heading for the front door.
"Thanks."
and then Isagi was out, already walking away. That's all their conversations have became, it's odd. Not that he'd ever admit that out loud though. They just drifted apart that what this is.
Isagi finally made it to the field at 6:57, it took him five minutes to make it. He spotted the dark green haired boy already sitting there. Rin was wearing grey sweatpants with a loose fitting shirt. Isagi approaches him offering some of his kintsuba from breakfast, which Rin took gratefully.
They played for hours, both of them getting increasingly tired and sweaty. It was now 11:03, Isagi was laying down in the grass exhausted while Rin was next to him except sitting up. Rin turns his head towards Isagi, he was just laying there with his eyes closed, breathing heavily. Rin stared at him for what felt like a long time until Isagi had opened his eyes looking up at the sunny sky. The sky a soft baby blue, and the bright yellow sun. Truly beautiful.
"Isagi, we could go over to mine and play some games, play some Tetris? You know I beat you last time."
"Yeah no way, you totally lost.." Isagi had practically burst into tears with laughter, "you know you don't have to call me Isagi anymore, you can call me Yoichi" Isagi says his eyes moving from the slow clouds to Rins soft turquoise eyes. "I mean.. I'm just saying we've known each other for a long time, Isagi seems so formal?"
"Come on lets go, Yoichi."
"Cmonn lets go back, Yoichi!! Before mommy finds out!!"
Isagi gets up from the grass dusting himself off, before rubbing a hand through his hair.
"you good, man?"
"Yeah let's go before I change my mind," Isagi says watching Rin stand up as the two begin waking to Rins house, it wasn't too far, fifteen minute walk at most.
"Have you ever had a girlfriend?" Rin says glancing at Isagi, his hands in his pockets.
"Where is this coming from??"
"Im just curious, we've known each other for basically a year. No mention of a girl, or even a crush."
"Guess I haven't found the right one yet." Isagi shrugs casually, "Ive always been more focused on soccer anyway."
"Right.."
"What you don't believe me?"
"When you showed up earlier you looked like you just got broken up with, you know you can tell me anything?"
"Everything is fine," Isagi brushes it off, continuing to walk down the street until they saw Rins house.
When they got inside they went to Rins room like usual just playing games but Rins words had got Isagi thinking, what did he mean? Isagi had always been that cool typical jock, girls had liked him, yeah but Isagi never felt anything from them. They were nothing but fans, Isagi had always been focused on soccer. That's why, or at least that's what he told himself.
The rest of the day went by quick, he was used to hanging out with Rin all day. It was easy for him, he didn't have fake anything around him. Isagi had stayed with Rin at his house until it was 5:00 PM, then he finally decided to head back home.
He was walking in silence the whole way home, it was calming. The clouds have covered the sun. Yet you could still see the sun poking through, like the sun was scared it wouldn't be able to shine again. He was kicking this small rock as he walked, the sound of the rock hitting the sidewalk was almost comforting.
His mind has always been quick, always working, always thinking of things. As of recent, it felt like a lot. He found himself thinking of nothing yet thinking of so much. It confused him and he hated the feeling. He thought if he hung out with Rin more it'd cool his mind. It worked some of the time, but he couldn't stop it completely. He remembered when it wasn't like that though. That's what really gnawed at him the most.
"Yoichiii you think too much!! just act in the moment its fine!"
"But if I don't think, I might mes-" Isagi hadn't been able to finish his sentence before Bachira had dragged him away.
right Bachira, things were easy with him too. Maybe easier than Rin, but everything was easy as a kid.
Isagi had made it to his house, it took longer than usual. He must've been thinking too much again. He takes out his key, unlocking the door with ease. Isagi takes one step inside and sees his mother right at the door, which makes him jump.
"What the- mom you scared me, what are you doing??" He says breathless his heart beating quickly.
"I was wondering where you went! Dinner is gonna be ready soon, don't tell me you already ate.."
Right, they were going over to Bachira's house.
"No, no I haven't, I need to shower though before if that's okay?" He shakes his head, finally calming his nerves from the scare earlier.
"Mhm, but don't be too late! I can't cover for you forever," She shakes her head slowly, in a mocking disappoint.
He breathes out in almost a laugh, walking past her to go upstairs as she walks out the house. He totally forgot about this stupid dinner, he hasn't shown up to the past ones in a while. The usual, "Sorry I already ate." and "I planned to go hangout with..". He couldn't miss another one that'd just be rude. Especially since Isagi's mom had told him before about it.
He makes it to his room, what does he even wear? Its just dinner and its at their house so its not anything fancy. He stared at his closet, at the clothes, nothing seemed right. He decided on a basic white hoodie and black pants. He tried not to think too hard about it.
He makes his way to the bathroom and takes a cold not so long shower. He decided on also not showing up too late, like his mom said, that'd be rude too.
By the time he finished it was 5:38, he got ready quickly and left the house. Their house was right next door, close. When he got to the doors, he took a deep breath before unlocking it himself. He had a key, to their house since they were so close. Saved him many times from forgetting his own key. After school he'd just go to Bachira's house and wait for his mom to get home and let him in. Then get a lecture about forgetting his key.
When he made it inside, it smelled like heaven. He closes and locks the door behind him, kicking off his shoes and makes his way to the kitchen. In their house you first passed through the living room to go to the kitchen. It was the opposite for Isagi's, which as a kid he thought was fascinating.
When he got to the kitchen he first saw the two moms in the kitchen finishing up whatever blessing they were making. Then his eyes drifted to the boy at the table, he was sitting there his arm on the table holding his head up while his other one held his phone down. He was wearing a white undershirt with a black shirt over it, and black pants. He wasn't wearing that when he came over in the morning, he must've changed.
When Isagi made it to the table, sitting down, that's when Bachira had finally looked up at him. His eyes almost seemed brighter than usual, maybe as bright as the sun was when he was walking back home. wait what?
"Any idea what's going on in the kitchen?" Isagi had seemed to blurt out.
"No clue, smells good though."
"I might smell some pineapple." Isagi's eyes moved to the kitchen, looking at the two laughing about something while finishing it all up. In the corner of his eye he can see Bachira staring at him, it made him, nervous maybe?
"What..?"
"Nothing. I hope it is though." Bachira had already looked away, looking back at his phone. Isagi tried to peek at it but that privacy screen stoped him.
Suddenly the two parents have arrived with a plate full of sushi..?
"I made plenty! I wanted to experiment with these, so they might not be the best.."
"Yu, don't say that my boy will eat whatever you give him," Isagi's mother had commented smirking. Which just made her laugh.
They all settled, and started eating, some of them were definitely questionable but Isagi was hungry so he ate what he could at least stand.
"Im so glad you could make it Yoichi, we have missed you deeply!" Bachira's mom had said forgetting to finish the food in her mouth.
"Im sorry, I couldn't have came to the other ones.."
"Oh its okay, you know when baby Meguru first told me he was gonna talk to you about.." She pauses to finish the food in her mouth. "I thought he might've scared you off! I was so worried."
"About what?" Isagi had looked at Bachira now, who seemed oddly obsessed with his plate.
"You don't remember? Before freshman year, he was gonna tell you that he liked you."
it got quiet, so so quiet.
(2696 words)